Mangaluru: Dangerous ‘black spots’ see no improvement, road accidents surge

Team Udayavani, Sep 28, 2024, 10:52 AM IST

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Mangaluru: Several accident-prone zones, known as ‘black spots’, across Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) district, including on national highways, continue to see frequent accidents despite being identified almost six years ago. Unfortunately, effective remedial measures have yet to be implemented, and accidents in these areas persist.

These black spots significantly contribute to the accidents occurring within the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate and the district. In the Commissionerate’s jurisdiction, which covers areas such as Mulki, Ullal, and Moodbidri, 11 black spots have been identified on National Highway-66, and 2 more on National Highway-73. Since 2016, a total of 47 black spots have been identified within the Dakshina Kannada district police limits.

Identified Black Spots

In the Dakshina Kannada district, from 2016-18, 4 black spots were identified. Between 2019-21, 34 more were added, and from 2022-24, 9 more were listed. Remedial work, such as the installation of signboards, road repairs, and maintenance at 18 of these black spots, is still ongoing. Some of the key locations include Pavanje, Mukka, Thadambail, Hosabettu, Kulai, Jokatte Cross, Kulur, KPT, Nantoor on NH-66, and Bikarnakatte and Adyarkatte on NH-73.

275 Accidents in 13 Black Spots

In the past two years, 275 accidents occurred across 13 black spots in the Mangaluru Commissionerate jurisdiction. Nantoor saw the highest number with 36 accidents, followed by KPT with 20, Bikarnakatte with 30, Kulai with 32, and Mukka with 25 accidents. Currently, construction work is underway in Nantoor, while the vehicular overpass project at KPT remains stalled. Temporary solutions like barricade installations have been employed at other locations.

Proposed Safety Measures

Authorities have directed departments like the National Highways Authority India, State Highways Department, Panchayati Raj Engineering Department, and Public Works Department to implement safety measures at the identified black spots. These measures include service road construction, installation of appropriate warning signboards, streetlights, zebra crossings, correction of road curves, and stop-line markings.

Over 615 Fatalities

In the last two-and-a-half years, over 615 people have died in road accidents across the Dakshina Kannada district, including the Commissionerate area. Between January and August 2024, the district police jurisdiction reported 566 accidents, resulting in 94 fatalities.

Similarly, over 500 people have lost their lives in road accidents in Udupi district over the past two years, including incidents that occurred outside the designated black spots. Even before resolving the existing black spots, more accident-prone areas are being created!

Black Spots in Udupi District

Udupi district has its own list of identified black spots, including locations like Padubidri Junction, Uchila, Muloor, Kapu Vidyaniketan Junction, Pangala, Ambalapadi Junction, Nittur Junction, Ambagilu Junction, Santhekatte Junction, Mahesh Hospital Junction, Bharani Petrol Bunk (Brahmavar), Kumragodu Cross, Kote Junction, Thekkatte Junction, Kumbashi Swagatha Gopura, Nehru Maidan Front, Tallur Junction, Mulikatte Junction (Gangolli), Trasi Junction, Yedthare Junction, Neergadde (Shirur), and Ottinene.

Departmental Instructions

“We review the black spots regularly during road safety committee meetings and issue directions to the concerned departments. In many places, the work to fix the black spots is ongoing. Construction is underway at Nantoor and KPT as both were identified as black spots. The process of identifying and fixing black spots is continuing,” said Mullai Muhilan, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district.

Partial Improvements at 13 Spots

According to Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K., 23 black spots have been identified in Udupi district. Partial preventive measures such as the installation of road markings, closing of unauthorized dividers, and road bumps have been implemented at 13 of these locations, he added.

~Translated version of Kannada article by Santhosh Bollettu